India-Poland aim to double bilateral trade by 2030

At the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland Donald Tusk undertook an official visit to India from 21-23 October 2026. He was accompanied by a high-level delegation including approximately 100 leading CEOs and industry representatives. Both Prime Ministers held extensive discussions on bilateral, regional, and global issues.

The leaders recalled the upgrading of relations to a strategic partnership during Prime Minister Modi's visit to Poland in August 2024 and the adoption of the India-Poland Action Plan for 2024-2028. They approved the mid-term review of the Action Plan held in Warsaw in September 2026. Both expressed a commitment to translating the partnership into concrete, time-bound, and mutually beneficial outcomes.

India and Poland have set a target to double bilateral trade by 2030. India invited Polish companies to increase investment and operations in India; Tusk described Poland as a gateway for Indian businesses into Central and Eastern Europe and the broader European market. Both agreed to enhance agricultural cooperation and resume activities of bilateral working groups. Welcoming the India-Poland Business Forum held during the visit, they encouraged partnership in sectors including industrial machinery, defence, infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, mining, critical minerals, energy, and ICT.

Prime Minister Modi congratulated Poland on crossing the USD 1 trillion GDP mark. Poland lauded India's rapid growth and its path to becoming a USD 10 trillion economy in the coming years. The leaders called for early signing, approval, and timely implementation of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA). In their view, it would enhance trade-investment opportunities, strengthen value chains, and open new markets.

Both countries expressed commitment to strengthening defence and security cooperation. Welcoming the outcomes of the 8th meeting of the Joint Working Group on Defence held in Warsaw in September 2026, they agreed to continue regular exchanges. They encouraged exploring opportunities for commercially viable cooperation between defence industries and developing a ‘Defence Industry Dialogue’ for defence industrial cooperation. They also welcomed the signing of the India-EU Security and Defence Partnership in January 2026.

Considering space cooperation a key component of the strategic partnership, the leaders encouraged institutional and industry-level linkages. They agreed to enhance collaborative research in semiconductors, AI, quantum technology, and startup partnerships. Opportunities for cooperation in battery recycling, purification of rare earth minerals, geology, and mining were also discussed; an MoU regarding critical minerals is under negotiation.

The leaders explored opportunities to increase direct flight services between India and Poland and encouraged direct negotiations between civil aviation authorities. They acknowledged the importance of cooperation in shipping, maritime security, and ports. Consensus was expressed on improving connectivity, including the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), and developing scientific cooperation in polar matters.

In the field of education and culture, the ICCR Chair of Indian Studies at Jagiellonian University in Krakow was welcomed. The leaders encouraged institutional partnerships between higher education institutions of both countries, exchange of students and faculty, and enhanced research. Considering people-to-people ties a vital pillar of the strategic partnership, they agreed to enhance cultural cooperation, including sports, youth exchange, and tourism. A cooperation agreement between officials of the archives of India and Poland has been completed and is to be signed soon.

Both sides stated that the monument of Maharaja Jam Saheb and the Kolhapur princely state in Warsaw is a symbol of the historical relations between the people of both countries. They noted that two editions of the Jam Saheb Memorial Youth Exchange Program, including the edition held in October 2026, have taken place. They also recalled the assistance provided by Polish authorities to more than 2,000 Indian students stranded in Ukraine under ‘Operation Ganga’.

On global issues, both sides expressed the need for reform and expansion of the United Nations Security Council. Poland supported India's membership in a reformed and expanded UNSC, along with its claim for a non-permanent seat for 2028-29. Expressing concern over the humanitarian consequences of the ongoing war in Ukraine, they reiterated the need for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in accordance with international law and the UN Charter.

The leaders condemned all forms of terrorism and violent extremism. Strongly condemning the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on 22 April 2025, they called for action against terrorist organizations, disrupting the financial networks of terrorism, and the early adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT). They also agreed to engage in anti-terror dialogue.

Both countries reaffirmed the importance of a free, open, and peaceful Indo-Pacific, UNCLOS 1982, and freedom of navigation. India invited Poland to join the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative. They also highlighted the need for enhanced cooperation in global action against climate change, clean energy, and climate-friendly development. India welcomed Poland's decision to join CDRI and invited it to join the International Solar Alliance and the Global Biofuels Alliance.

Prime Minister Tusk expressed gratitude for the hospitality extended. Both leaders expressed commitment to making the strategic partnership deeper and more diversified and ensuring effective implementation of the Action Plan (2024-2028). Tusk invited Prime Minister Modi to visit Poland.